2007 Air Force Assistance Fund a ‘commitment to caring’ Published April 11, 2007 By Master Sgt. Brad Simpson 7th Equipment Maintenance Squadron DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Dyess kicks off the 2007 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign April 13. The AFAF has a very specific target audience: Air Force personnel. It provides an opportunity for Air Force members to "take care of their own" through contributions to four organizations: the Air Force Aid Society, the Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. Lemay Foundation, the Air Force Enlisted Villages Indigent Widow's Fund, and the Air Force Villages Indigent Widow's Fund. These organizations provide s proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel" for many people, from active-duty to Reserve and Guard personnel to widows of retired officers and enlisted personnel. It doesn't end there. Spouses and dependents of active-duty Airmen are included in those who can benefit from contributions. The AFAS is the official charity of the Air Force. It provides qualifying members interest-free loans or grants during personal and family emergencies. Aid can be given for such purposes as food, rent, utilities and essential car repair. The AFAS also manages programs that provide education grants to eligible dependents and stateside spouses, as well as a tuition assistance program for spouses overseas. AFAS funds also support community initiatives such as bundles for babies and special phone cards for deployed members. The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides financial aid to spouses who supported the careers of Air Force officers and enlisted personnel. The LeMay Foundation continues to provide assistance for as long as it is needed. It also helps with one-time expenses such as dental work, eye glasses, hearing aids, medical equipment and, in one case, the purchase of a powered wheelchair for an elderly quadriplegic widow. The Air Force Enlisted Villages Indigent Widow's Fund provides homes and assisted living residences for dire need enlisted widows of Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve. Support is also available to spouses of enlisted members who die on active duty. This fund also provides emergency assistance and temporary housing during natural disasters for active duty or retired Airmen and their families. The Air Force Villages Indigent Widow's Fund provides widows of career retired Air Force officers with dignified, appropriate and cost-effective living options. Families of Air Force officers killed on active duty are offered living accommodations while putting their lives back together following their losses. The AFAF administrative and fundraising costs are among the lowest in the nation. In fact, 95 cents or more of every dollar contributed is actually spent on assisting Air Force members and their families. To find out more, see your unit or group representative. Information can also be found on the AFAF Web site; http://afassistancefund.org/. This site can be accessed from military workstations as well as from your home. This year's installation project officers will be Capt. Jessica Johndrow and Master Sgt. Brad Simpson. So why contribute to the AFAF? This year's campaign, as have those in the past, provides everyone with an opportunity to "Take care of their own"-- not only those from this generation but also those of generations past who have sacrificed much in the way of accomplishing the Air Force mission.